# RipeLocker, Inc.

> RipeLocker is a Bainbridge Island agtech company that builds reusable, low-atmosphere vacuum chambers for storing and shipping fresh produce and flowers. By pulling out most of the air and dynamically managing oxygen and CO2, its containers slow respiration by more than half and stretch shelf life from days to eight or twelve weeks - long enough to move berries, hops, cherries and roses by ocean instead of air. Founded in 2016 by George Lobisser, the company has run global trials, signed berry giant Agrovision, and is now scaling from pallet-sized drums to a full shipping-container chamber.

- **Founded:** 2016
- **Headquarters:** Bainbridge Island, Washington, United States
- **Founders:** George Lobisser (CEO & Co-Founder), Kyle Lobisser (Co-Founder)
- **Team size:** ~17 employees
- **Products:** RipeLocker vacuum chambers (drums), RipeReefer (container-scale chamber), Disinfestation service
- **Notable:** USDA-ARS trials showed 100% kill of all life stages of spotted-wing drosophila in blueberries after six days in a RipeLocker - a chemical-free quarantine result., Extended blueberry shelf life to roughly 12 weeks - about three times the norm - in work with Agrovision., Kept fresh hops usable for up to 60 days versus roughly one day untreated; facilitated distribution of nearly 5,000 lbs of fresh hops in 2023.

## Products & services

- **RipeLocker vacuum chambers (drums)** — Reusable, pallet-sized, low-atmosphere vacuum containers made from recycled materials that dynamically manage pressure, oxygen and CO2 to slow respiration and suppress decay, extending shelf life from days to 8-12 weeks.
- **RipeReefer (container-scale chamber)** — A shipping-container-sized vacuum chamber - tested as a 20-foot prototype, targeting a 40-foot commercial unit holding roughly 18 tons - that lets firms ship perishables globally without transferring produce into individual drums.
- **Disinfestation service** — Use of the low-pressure vacuum environment as a non-chemical quarantine treatment; USDA-ARS trials showed 100% kill of all life stages of spotted-wing drosophila in blueberries after six days.

## Achievements

- USDA-ARS trials showed 100% kill of all life stages of spotted-wing drosophila in blueberries after six days in a RipeLocker - a chemical-free quarantine result.
- Extended blueberry shelf life to roughly 12 weeks - about three times the norm - in work with Agrovision.
- Kept fresh hops usable for up to 60 days versus roughly one day untreated; facilitated distribution of nearly 5,000 lbs of fresh hops in 2023.
- Reduces produce respiration by more than 50% on average.
- Built and tested a 20-foot container-scale vacuum prototype with blueberries and kiwifruit.

## Latest updates

- **2024-12** — Brendon Anthony, Ph.D., joined as President; company detailed plans for the container-scale RipeReefer, targeting trials by late 2026/early 2027.
- **2024-06** — Announced deal with global berry producer Agrovision to roll out shelf-life-extension technology across its supply chain, including The Fruitist brand.
- **2023** — Facilitated distribution of nearly 5,000 lbs of fresh hops; USDA disinfestation results published.

## Links

- Website: https://ripelocker.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/ripelocker
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/pg/RipeLocker-LLC-1240759942701236/about/?ref=page_internal

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ripelocker-inc
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-20